Nucleon-nucleon correlations inside atomic nuclei: synergies, observations and theoretical models

Dalal, R. and MacGregor, I. J. D. (2024) Nucleon-nucleon correlations inside atomic nuclei: synergies, observations and theoretical models. Reports on Progress in Physics, 87(3), 034301. (doi: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad27dd)

[img] Text
321820.pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only until 1 March 2025.

1MB

Abstract

While the main features of atomic nuclei are well described by nuclear mean-field models, there is a large and growing body of evidence which indicates an important additional role played by spatially-correlated nucleon–nucleon structures. The role of nucleonic structures was first suggested by Heidmann in 1950 to explain the pick-up reactions of energetic nucleons. Since then, a steady flux of new experimental evidence has confirmed the presence of similar structures inside atomic nuclei, dominated by correlations between pairs of nucleons. The role of these internal nucleon–nucleon correlations has been established using various energetic probes like photons, pions, leptons and hadrons. These correlated structures are essential for understanding the interaction of particles with nuclei and their presence provides an explanation of many specific nuclear phenomena, including backscattered protons, copious deuteron production, sub-threshold particle production, neutrino interactions with nuclei and the European Muon Collaboration effect. On the theoretical side, these measurements have stimulated a large number of phenomenological models specifically devised to address these enigmatic observations. While reviews exist for specific interactions, there is currently no published commentary which systematically encompasses the wide range of experimental signatures and theoretical frameworks developed thus far. The present review draws together the synergies between a wide range of different experimental and theoretical studies, summarizes progress in this area and highlights outstanding issues for further study.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:short-ranged correlations, nucleon-nucleon correlations, experimental observations of NN correlations.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacGregor, Professor Ian
Authors: Dalal, R., and MacGregor, I. J. D.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Group:Nuclear and Hadron Physics
Journal Name:Reports on Progress in Physics
Journal Abbr.:Rep. Prog. Phys
Publisher:Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:0034-4885
ISSN (Online):1361-6633
Copyright Holders:Copyright: © 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd.
First Published:First published in Reports on Progress in Physics 87(3): 034301
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
Related URLs:

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
301379Nuclear Physics Consolidated GrantDavid IrelandScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/P004458/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy